October 23, 2023

In this issue: The growing industry around office plants showcases a trend towards creating more pleasant work environments, with services such as plant installation and maintenance, while a rise in horticultural interest marks the emergence of "plantrepreneurs." Italian Design Brands (IDB) furthers its global expansion by opening a US headquarters and two flagship stores in New York, offering a blend of high-end furniture and lighting designs. However, a significant drop in business among architecture firms as per the Architecture Billings Index, hints at a slowdown in the commercial real estate market, potentially impacted by a slow return to office and rising interest rates. Unisource Solutions teams up with Pacific Office Interiors to strengthen its footprint in Southern California, aiming to offer exceptional workplace solutions. As return-to-office mandates from leading US firms continue, discrepancies in office attendance rates across regions emerge, with the US lagging behind Asia Pacific and Europe. The evolving workplace dynamics now prioritize creating amenity-rich, engaging environments to make the office a commute-worthy destination, but a full-time return may still face resistance as workers and CEOs navigate the balance between in-office and remote working. Despite the push for return, the evolving office design focusing on employee happiness and the burgeoning hybrid work models underline a shift towards optimizing work-life balance and productivity in the corporate landscape.